HIGHLIGHTS

Nine officials as per the instruction of the court have appeared before the different BMTF and the investigation will resume.

A week after the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) registered cases against 20 civic officers for wrongly sanctioning plans and providing occupancy certificate, today nine officials, who are facing charges appeared before various BMTF police station.

Demolition drive of encroached properties have been going on in the city and people have been completely shocked and shattered over losing their lives earning. Most of them whose houses are being demolished have proper occupancy certificate. "I have been living in this locality for more than 20 years. I just want the officials to do a pakka survey. If pakka survey is done my property will remain intact and it won't be demolished," said Gopalaiah, a professor whose 33 feet of the 37 feet property will be demolished.

The BBMP which started the demolition drive based on the urban planning maps tracking the storm water drain in the city have over the last few days insisted that there won't be any properties that will be spared from demolition if they are located on the Rajakaluva (storm water drain). In many locations in the city it was seen that ruthlessly the JCB vehicles were breaking down properties leaving the building and the spirit of the people shattered.

The question that is lurking in most of the people's mind is why were they given permission to build houses if the property was over a storm water drain? "For 20 or more years we have lived here, paid our taxes. How can they just push us out one fine day? Where will go? Where are the officials who approved our property?" questioned Puneeth Reddy, a resident from Doddabomasandra.

Of the twenty civic officials who were named many of them are absconding and they have been asked to appear before the BMTF to avoid arrest. "According to the instructions of the high court the alleged civic authorities have been asked to appear before the BMTF for investigation. Nine of them have appeared as per instruction," said Sunil Kumar, ADGP BMTF.

Close to 11 civic body officials are yet to come in for investigation. Meanwhile, the demolition drive in Bengaluru continues. Irrespective of what punishment the civic authorities will be given, the truth remains that the dreams of the affected will remain broken.